Savaged Page 11

  “If you want it, take it. Show me that you’re dirty. That’s how I like my woman. Dirty and eager to please. Do you want to please me like I pleased you, Cambree?”

  I notice that he is watching me intently, gauging my reaction to his question. I want to please him, to make him feel gratified too. I lean forward and crawl toward him, placing my legs on either side of his body. I hover over his shaft momentarily, and then lower myself, eliciting a tormented groan from Niko’s lips.

  He grabs my breasts and holds them, rubbing them tightly as I move up and down his shaft. I take a sharp breath as my body accepts all of him. He leans into a sitting position. I watch as his lips part.

  “You are so gorgeous. I wish more than anything the light were on so I could see every freckle on your body, every laugh line. But this is what I have to offer you, Cambree. I’m willing to explore this…you and me. Take me in the dark or leave me for the light, the choice is yours.” Niko sounds in control as he offers up his heart without saying those exact words.

  Without a shadow of a doubt, I know I’m going to take him however I can get him. Regardless of the limits, he is worth it. I know that there is something good lurking inside of him, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to draw him out. Leaning forward, my heart lurches in my chest when my lips find his. My hip start to move up and down again and I continue to ride him until he finds his own sweet release.

  Euphorically blissful is how I feel in this very moment.

  Out of breath, we lie next to one another, our naked bodies pressed tightly against each other. I close my eyes, as Niko gently plays with a strand of my hair. Exhausted and royally spent, I fade into a restful paradise. My Grams is safe and I’m beyond happy.

  As I yawn, Niko whispers into my ear, “You’re the light at the end of the tunnel, Cambree.”

  “AS MUCH AS I’D adore having you wrapped in my arms, I think your Grams would be pretty upset at me if I kept you to myself all day,” I playfully whisper into Cambree’s ear.

  My arm is tossed to the side as she jolts up. “Oh my gosh, I totally forgot!” Jumping out of my bed, I watch as she quickly gathers her clothes and starts getting dressed in a frantic hurry.

  “I’ve come to be rather greedy with you, but I guess I can share you. On one condition though.” She pauses with one pant leg on and looks at me questionably. I love how I can see her perfectly through the darkness. It’s a bonus of living in it. She on the other hand squints and peers as she tries to glance in my direction. “Promise that you’ll come see me tonight.”

  My eyes take in her beauty as she steps toward the side of the bed. A few strands of hair brush over my face as she leans down and kisses me. It’s a small peck, but I’ll take it.

  “I promise,” she smiles, “but I have to go see Grams. I hope she’s not too angry that I haven’t been in there yet.” Turning her back toward me, she finishes pulling up her pants and turns her head around. “And remember that I have a shift at work tonight so I’ll be back home after dark.”

  “Okay,” I say as I see a line of light as she leaves the room. “Home.” It’s strange to admit that it sounded pleasant coming from her mouth.

  Our relationship is rare. Unexplainable. I know that, yet it feels right.

  Raking my hand through my hair, I think about the day I have ahead of me. It’s the time of the month where I have to do something that should make me happy, but it actually saddens me. It’s business though, a commitment of sorts. Not for Kincaid Enterprises, but with the police.

  Dragging myself out of bed, I head toward the bathroom. On autopilot, I turn the shower’s knob, slide my boxers off, and step inside. I grab the bottle of shampoo and lather an ample amount in my hands. My mind gets the better of me as I think about the day ahead. I’m glad that I can assist in something so big, but there is still a nagging pinch of guilt with every man I help arrest.

  As I rinse in my large shower, I remember how small my shower was in my apartment in the city. It was like a stall, tiny and crammed into a corner. Honestly, living in the city is like living in a little piece of jail. Everyone is so angry all time, there’s police parked on every corner, and you’ll be cited for doing the silliest damn thing. At least, that’s what I recall from living there.

  It wasn’t until after the accident that I moved back into the estate. Before that though, I was my father’s right hand man. As much as he used to hate me being in the mix of things, it gave me a lot of insight. It taught me a great deal from being on the streets, blending in. It’s helped me in many ways to still be able to communicate with my old contacts, now through Jarod. Although gathering insight on what was happening on the streets hasn’t been an easy task, especially with all of my regulars wondering where I’ve been. It was up to Jarod to break the news of my death and it took a while, but in time, he earned their trust. Things have been smooth sailing since then.

  Rinsing off my body, I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. No clothes are needed for what I have to do today. It’s another bonus, I guess.

  The alarm on my computer goes off as I take a seat in front of it and turn on the monitor. I open my email and click on today’s date. Another screen comes up as I turn the knob on my volume up. There’s an image of Jarod standing outside of a building. The sound of my vertebra cracking is loud in the stillness of the room as I twist in my chair, and then reach into my desk and pull out a small microphone from my drawer. I plug it into the computers tower.

  The surveillance is a must. I have to be able to see what he’s doing and what is going on. I must admit that Jarod is a good actor. He’s done exceptionally well, fooling even the metro police. I grab my small earpiece from the same drawer. “Jarod, can you hear me?” I say into the microphone.

  “Yes, boss. Loud and clear,” he says back. It’s almost amusing watching him talk to himself as he waits for our meeting to start.

  “It’s almost time,” he says. I watch him as he fidgets with his watch and glances up at our camera, which is installed on a small pipe on the side of the building.

  “The cruiser is coming. You ready?”

  “Yes,” I repeat into the microphone and watch the monitor in front of me as a police car drives into the camera’s line of vision. Tommy exits the vehicle and approaches Jarod.

  The small microphone Jarod has taped to his chest allows me to hear what Tommy is saying. “I hope this takedown is good. It’s been awhile since Sargent Cooper was satisfied with me. He’s been a dick since his wife left him, Tommy says and then he and Jarod share a small laugh and a friendly handshake.

  I speak into the mic, telling Jarod what to say. “Tell him that Jones on forty-second overheard Belk mention that he just re-uped. They’re storing half a dozen AR 15’s and AK variants in the mini storage place on Belmont Ave. Belk is packaging them for shipment tonight off the south dock at eleven sharp.”

  Jarod tilts his head toward the camera, nods, and then repeats the information to Tommy.

  “Got it,” Tommy says as he jots down the information on a small pad of paper. “Tell Niko that I hope he’s doing well. It’s been a long time since we hit the courts. I know he’s listening.” Tommy glances up at our stationary camera. “And I know you have an indoor court at that giant ass estate.”

  “Tell him he needs to bulk up before he goes head-to-head with me.” I grin as I joke and then watch Jarod laugh out loud and relay my message.

  “Yeah, yeah….” He laughs and then shakes Jarod’s hand. “Thanks for the tip. You know how much I appreciate it, but even more the citizens of this town.” Looking up toward the camera he continues, “Niko, I miss you man.”

  Every time we meet to share information, it’s the same thing. As much as Tommy tries to conceal how he really feels, he always fails. It sucks. Royally. I get to hide it all. From the chair in my office, I shake my head as I silently wish that it were possible for me to play ball again with my best friend from college. Instead, I pulled him into my father’s mess.
It’s not a bad mess per se. We are helping to get guns off the streets, tracking the men who supply illegal items and taking them down. In return, Tommy looks like a hero. As much as we all know it, he’d rather be a mall cop and have me back than get all of the glory and pretend like he has someone on the inside of the gun ring.

  I tug the earpiece away from my head and unplug my mic. Peering at the screen, I watch Jarod wave goodbye to Tommy and then at the camera. Clicking exit on the screen, my mouth droops. It’s always the same feeling. I’m thrilled that I can use my resources to hire people that are able to gather intel from around the turf they live in. On the other hand, I feel like a phony. I’m using Tommy, Jarod, and everyone else who helps, and I’m sitting back hanging out in nothing but a towel.

  Saving the world was my father’s dream. I was too young when he started this side gig to know what motivated him. I accepted that he wanted to help our community and play hero. He loved the city, having lived there his whole life. Naturally, he wanted to keep the streets of Seattle clean and crime free. It was by accident that he busted a young man with a duffle bag of stolen guns. After talking to the police, he started an internal program. He gained information and turned it over to the police, and in return, he felt gratification. He had the resources from Kincaid Enterprises and used them for the greater good. Once he was gone, I wasn’t left with only the company, but also the gun ridding.

  How was I supposed to just stop? Thinking about all the people that could be hurt from gangs and other inner city problems didn’t sit well with Neil or me, so we started at the bottom and worked our way up. Now I employ several locals who also gained security and protection from the force. It’s a win-win. But it doesn’t make it any less easy on me. If anything, it makes me feel like more of a prisoner than I am.

  “It’s so nice to see you,” I smile as I stroke the side of Grams’s cheek with the back of my fingertips. “Are you comfortable?” I ask her. She doesn’t respond, but she doesn’t look scared or worried.

  “Hi, I’m Stacy.”

  I turn around to find a tall, sharply dressed redhead, her hand held out. She’s polite. That’s a plus.

  I shake her hand. “Hi, I’m Bree.”

  “Mr. Jarod said that it was fine if I finish hauling my stuff to my room. Are you going to stay with her long?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. Go ahead and get settled. I planned on staying with her until I have to go to work, anyway.”

  The live-in nurse leaves Grams and me alone. I notice a persistent sound coming from a monitor. It appears to be a blood pressure machine. To my right is a steel IV pole attached to the hospital bed. Pushing the blankets over, I climb onto the bed next to her. There is a plastic facemask secured above her nose and mouth. My eyes take everything in. All at once, it hits me that she really isn’t doing well. I mean, I know what the nurse said at the nursing home and what the doctor told me over the phone, but seeing her like this, attached to monitors and shit. It’s just not good and I know it.

  Lifting my hand, I rub it through her grey locks. She always loved to have her hair done. Rain or shine she’d make it into the salon and she’d always come home smiling from ear-to-ear. I wish more than anything that she could sit up long enough to have a beautician style it for her. Her frail body just won’t allow it.

  “I love you, Grams. I’m going to stay here with you until I have to go to work. Okay?” I ask but don’t expect an answer.

  I’m sure she’s wondering about the man who ordered her to be moved here, and how he’s able to afford all of this. It’s just what she does. She loves to be nosy and know every single detail about everything in my life. Unfortunately, those pesky little specifics don’t matter. Right now, the only thing that matters is her health. I’m consumed with thoughts on how to fix this, make her comfortable and give her what she needs right now.

  Time passes as I lie and talk to her about random stuff, and stuff that isn’t so random. We’re best friends and I’m used to pouring my heart and soul out to her, so I do. It’s funny because at first, I left out all the gory details of Niko’s and my relationship. But we’re far past that and I feel at ease with telling her how I really feel about him.

  Getting her approval is irrelevant at this point. I long for it. There’s no lying about that, but as I kiss her head goodbye, I know she supports me. She always has. Regardless of what mess I made, she was always there to either help me out of it or to sit and listen to me ramble on about it.

  I climb off the bed and stretch my back. I can’t imagine how she must feel. I’m sore from just a few hours of lying there. Giving a brief smile to the nurse, I turn and head to my bedroom to prepare to get ready for my shift at the store.

  Looking in the mirror, my eyes are red and puffy from unshed tears. It’s not like I haven’t cried enough, and in all honesty, if I allowed myself a minute to just let it all out, I’m scared that I’d never be able to pull myself back together in time to make it to work.

  Flipping my head over, I grab all of my hair in a ponytail and wrap it into a loose bun on top of my head. I apply a small amount of blush to my cheeks and a swipe of lip balm. My attire however needs help. Stripping out of my clothes, I slide on a loose fitting sweater, jeans, and my trusty boots.

  I reach into my purse to grab my keys. “Shit,” I say as I try to balance my bag on my knee. I can’t find them and I’m going to be late. Storming around my room, I rummage through my bag and bedding. I can’t find those them anywhere. I overheard Ruth mention that Jarod had a meeting this morning when I passed her in the hallway, so I’m shit out of luck on hitching a ride with him.

  Opening my door, I stand in the doorway of my room and consider calling a cab.

  “Miss Cambree, is there something wrong?” Ruth says as she nears my door.

  “Oh, no. I’m fine. I’m just debating on calling a cab. I have a shift at work, but I seem to have misplaced my keys.”

  “A cab? Honey, there is no need for that. Not to mention that Mr. Marks would have my hide if he knew I allowed you to fetch a cab.” She reaches out and grabs my hand. “Follow me.”

  Together, we walk toward the kitchen. I’m not sure what is about to happen as she brings me through the pantry and stops in front of a closed door. “You can pick,” she says. Her Spanish accent is adorable.

  My eyes widen as the door swings open and I see what is inside. Vehicles. All shades and sizes, lined up in a massive garage. I mean the garage is literally as big as the downstairs of a Sears. “Y-you,” I stutter, “want me to choose one?”

  “Well, you need something to drive to work, don’t you?”

  “He won’t be upset? Maybe I should call and ask him.” I’m worried about what he will think. Plus, heaven forbid someone do anything without his permission or knowledge.

  “Miss Cambree, I believe your shift starts in thirty minutes. I suggest you just pick one and drive. The keys are in each of them. I’ll open the garage doors for you.”

  Swallowing, I’m not exactly sure what to do. My shoes probably aren’t even expensive enough to step on the ground that these vehicles rest on. Should I take a small one? Small is easy to drive, but by the looks of these ones, damages would be very costly. The big ones are nice, but intimidating. My eyes scan the cars as I walk by them, looking for the cheapest one. None of them looks remotely cheap, but it’s worth an effort. What if some asshole rear-ends me or something? I don’t want to be in debt for the rest of my life.

  I choose a small black sedan. I don’t even know the name of the model. It’s probably a good thing. Opening the door, the smell of clean leather fills my nose. The seat is very comfortable as I lean back and sink into it. Just like Ruth said, the keys are already in the ignition. I turn them over and the car roars.

  My trip is smooth as I pull into the mall’s parking lot. I even got a few head nods on my way. It was the car, not me, but still, it was nice to feel like I counted in a class that mattered for once.

  I know my small pay won’t be
enough to fix a scratch on a car like this, so I park far away from the mall’s entrance. Just in case someone decided to park a little too close for my liking. Grabbing my purse from the passenger seat, I slide it up my shoulder and make my way toward the entrance. For a Friday, I would have expected the mall to be more crowded, but I notice it isn’t as soon as I enter its doors. Even the food court is sparse.

  “Hey, Max,” I say as I round the corner into my work and see my boss sitting behind the counter with his face in a book.

  Glancing up, he winks at me, and then returns to his reading material. I go through the motions as I clock in, put my purse in my locker in the small storage room behind the showroom floor, and grab a stool next to Max. “So, what’s new?” I ask as I wrap my ankles around the stool’s legs.

  “Not much. It’s dead here. I fitted one kid about an hour ago. But that’s it.”

  “All day?” I question him, surprised.

  Like I said, today isn’t like a normal Friday from the looks of it, but then again, it is still early. Most of our clients are mothers who bring their tots to be fitted for their first pair shoes during the day. So, if we’re not busy during morning and afternoon hours, I know the night rush full of high schoolers isn’t going to affect our business flow.

  “I think I’m going to head out now that you’re here. No need in us both being bored out of our minds.” Max closes his book and looks in my direction.

  “Sounds good,” I reply while shrugging my shoulders.

  Sliding the paperback into his bag, he tosses one strap over his shoulder and waves, leaving me alone in the empty store. The smell of shoe cleaner and Clorox surrounds me. I can tell that he cleaned the place well today. Wiping away all the nasty kiddie germs from our seats is a giant plus on his record. I hate cleaning for one, and two, I don’t want to pick up any illness from a snotty-nosed kid. Especially since Grams is at the estate. I don’t want her catching something from me.